Sustainable Progress: LG Chem and Reifenhäuser Advance MDO-PE Film Technology
24.01.2025
LG Chem and Reifenhäuser have partnered to develop innovative Machine Direction Oriented (MDO)-PE films. By combining advanced materials with cutting-edge extrusion technology, they aim to create cost-effective, recyclable solutions for flexible packaging—offering sustainability without compromising performance.
Collaborative Innovation for Sustainable Packaging
LG Chem, a leading global chemical company, and Reifenhäuser, a renowned extrusion machine manufacturer, have joined forces under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This partnership builds on a successful collaboration, which showcased the world's first MDO-PE film at just 18 micrometers (µm) in May 2024.
Bernd Reifenhäuser, CEO of the Reifenhäuser Group, emphasized the importance of this initiative: "The demand for flexible mono-material packaging is growing rapidly. With LG Chem and Reifenhäuser, we have found the perfect match of raw material, extrusion technology, and process know-how that will pave the way for cost-effective, recyclable MDO-PE films."
Breaking Boundaries in Material Efficiency
The partnership focuses on downgauging MDO-PE films to enhance their competitiveness in the market. With coordinated system technology and material formulations, they aim to achieve film thicknesses comparable to traditional PET-PE laminates. This innovative approach replaces 12 µm PET films with 16 to 17 µm MDO-PE films, optimizing production efficiency while maintaining quality.
Christoph Lettowsky, Technical Sales Manager at Reifenhäuser Blown Film, explained: "The downgauging limit has not yet been reached. Thanks to our patented MDO Ultra Stretch unit, films can be stretched from the first heat, creating a stable process that supports further material reductions."
Advantages of MDO-PE Films
Key benefits of this collaboration include:
- Sustainability: PFAS-free materials reduce environmental impact.
- Cost Efficiency: Optimized production processes lower operational costs.
- Versatility: Films perform well in packaging applications, meeting market demands.
Dr. Lee Choong Hoon, Vice President at LG Chem, expressed enthusiasm: "Our combined technology has achieved unprecedented results in downgauging MDO-PE film, successfully balancing sustainability and profitability."
Future Vision: Driving Recycling in Packaging
LG Chem and Reifenhäuser remain committed to pushing boundaries, with further developments targeting even thinner and more sustainable films. Test runs at Reifenhäuser's technical center have already demonstrated the reliability of these processes, paving the way for wider adoption.
This initiative highlights the shared vision of these industry leaders: to innovate for a sustainable future while delivering high-performance solutions.